Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu says his predecessor, late YS Rajasekhar Reddy, had a hand in an attempt on his life by Maoist rebels in 2003.(HT photo)

Andhra Pradesh chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu has alleged that his predecessor, late YS Rajasekhar Reddy, had a hand in an attempt on his life by Maoist rebels in 2003.

The Telugu Desam Party (TDP) president’s allegation was in response to Reddy’s son and YSR Congress president, YS Jaganmohan Reddy’s recent comment about shooting dead Naidu in public for allegedly cheating the people with false promises.

Naidu survived the assassination attempt on October 2, 2003 when a landmine missed his vehicle when he was on his to the Tirumala hills for a religious function.

Naidu told journalists that Reddy had allegedly provided logistical support, such as mobile phones and funds, to Maoists rebels through one of his supporters, Gangi Reddy. Gangi Reddy was recently arrested in a red sanders smuggling case.

“Jagan has a criminal brain. And that is the reason why he talks of killing me,” Naidu said on Tuesday.

“What crime have I committed? Even in the past, he asked people to beat me with chappals. But I never lost my cool. Even when his father conspired to eliminate me, I did not express my anger,” Naidu added.

Naidu claimed that after becoming the chief minister, Rajasekhar Reddy had tried to reduce his security cover and denied accommodation facility to the Special Protection Group commandoes.

“But I never complained and maintained poise,” he said.

The political rivalry between Naidu and YSR – both of whom were once close friends in the Congress – dates back more than a decade and have dominated Andhra Pradesh politics over the years.

After YSR’s death in a chopper crash 2009, Naidu and Jagan Reddy have often faced off in public, accusing each other of betraying the state and the people.